Mums develop AI teddy bear to help neurodivergent children communicate better
A pair of mothers have developed an AI-powered teddy bear designed to support neurodivergent children in expressing their emotions and communicating more effectively.
The interactive toy, named OnKaru, uses artificial intelligence to understand speech, respond to children, and even detect emotions. It aims to provide comfort while also acting as a communication bridge between children and their parents.
A personal journey turned into innovation
The idea was born when Fatemeh Jahedpari, an AI specialist with a PhD in computer science from the University of Bath, sought to better understand her introverted child. “I wanted to make something for my child, because she is too introverted and I knew that there are some issues in her head that she’s not sharing with me,” she explained.
After sharing her idea with fellow educator Nafiseh Gharavi, the two mothers decided to expand the concept into a tool that could help a wider community of children with different neurological needs, including autism, ADHD, ADD, and dyslexia.
Together, they co-founded OnKaru, positioning it as a safe and inclusive AI companion for children.
How OnKaru works
On the outside, the teddy bear looks like a typical plush toy. Inside, however, it is fitted with an AI-powered device capable of reading a child’s emotions and responding to them in real time.
The bear collects data during interactions, which is stored securely in the cloud and shared with parents via a mobile app. For example, if a child frequently expresses sadness or anxiety to the toy, the system discreetly notifies parents, allowing them to step in early.
“Children want to have access to AI, and you cannot stop them. But it’s not safe to let them know everything. With this toy, children have access, but the responses are filtered based on their age,” explained Gharavi.
Looking ahead
Although OnKaru has not yet been released to the public, its creators plan to showcase the innovation at Expand North Star 2025, a leading startup event taking place in Dubai from October 12 to 15.
By combining emotional intelligence with technology, the founders hope to make a lasting impact in the lives of neurodivergent children, giving them a safe, trusted, and empathetic way to express themselves.
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